Lots to do before September

186

After two significant departures in the form of Aaron Mooy and Jota, Celtic’s incoming transfers rose to four yesterday with confirmation of five-year deals for Koreans Kwon Hyeok-kyu (22) and Yang Hyun-jun (21).  Marco Tilio (21) and Odin Thiago Holm (20) arrived earlier this month.  German-born Polish defender Maik Nawrocki (22) is in town and will hopefully be confirmed soon.

That’s two nailed-on starters out the door and soon-to-be five players whom none of us can vouch for in.  Anyone outside of Celtic who tells you we are either stronger or weaker than last season is betraying their secret desires.  Those involved in the transfer decision making process will have at least a modicum of doubt.  Most of us just trust the process and hope.

The most I’ll say is that we are in good shape for next month’s home games against Ross County and St Johnstone and the trip to Aberdeen.  September brings three away games and our first Champions League group stage match.  We have a lot of work to do between now and then, not necessarily in the transfer market.  All of the new arrivals have a significant amount of settling into Celtic to get through between now and then.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

186 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5

  1. Wooft! On a plane from Boston to Houston with not much to do – hoping for a podium. PS Mon the hoops ☘️

  2. QUESTION on 25TH JULY 2023 12:01 PM

     

    first ever

     

    —————

     

    Sorry, nice one bud! 😃👍🥇

  3. QUESTION on 25TH JULY 2023 12:02 PM

     

    sorry Texas

     

     

    No worries – satisfied with a silver medal 🙂

  4. thanks bhoys. Ive now read the article as well !

     

     

    And back to the garden work shortly………..

  5. quadrophenian on

    The process seems to be taking some analytics-driven punts in waters we’ve not fished deeply in before.

     

     

    Do I think we’re weaker than last year? No, but we have definitely lost a heap of top level experience in game-calm Aaron and the reliably cocky flair of Jota.

     

     

    Still hankering for an Aaron-like replacement; an experienced heid who can calm the farm in any given game. Could Brendan rehabilitate someone of Isco Alarcon’s calibre, mibbys ?

     

     

    HH

  6. Quad

     

     

    Totally agree re Aaron.

     

     

    Few would have thought we had such value there a year ago though.

     

     

    The point Paul makes re settling in Glasgow and at Celtic is important. For me we signed AJ Iwata and Oh in January and only really AJ has had the chance (or indeed been asked ) to really play a big role. The other 2 have had a great chance to acclimatise and it maybe that these are the ones who step up in the next month or two as the other new guys come to terms with their new environment.

  7. If we are fishing in different pond, then i do expect the process o be protracted.

     

     

    Quality players will have numerous offers to consider, and the millstone of Scottish football will always be with us when we make our pitch

     

     

    However…stockpiling cash is not in our interest, so i do expect to see some marquee sigings before the end of the window,

  8. !!Bada Bing!! on

    When Big Mick signs, I can see Starfelt going, we are not at a stage where we would pay £5 million for a guy to sit on the bench.

  9. quadrophenian on

    BURNLEY78 on 25TH JULY 2023 12:29 PM –

     

     

    I indeed hope that we get to see greater influence from Iwata and Oh (who attitudinally seems right up for the cup).

     

     

    Interesting cultural difference amid our Asian contingent; 2 of the Korean kids (Oh and Kwon) seem pretty bullish about being here. Don’t see so much of that cockiness in the Japanese cohort. Then again, Kyogo and Reo do all their bullishness on the ball and on the park (not the Korean surname, the pitch I mean ;)

  10. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Don’t know anything about these signings.

     

     

    Do any of them improve the manager’s desire to improve the “power” in the team?

  11. bournesouprecipe on

    Shaping up very nicely as we approach Nine signatures since the Cup final.

     

     

    Some amount of work done by Celtic, but injuries to CCV Johnston and Ralston add to the mix. Iwata in the right back role and Mick Nawrocki could start in CCV’s position in the early competitive games.

     

     

    Exciting times at Celtic and still five weeks for a marquee .

  12. Mooy a nailed-on starter? Perhaps for a few games after the World Cup when his form improved noticeably.

     

    Reo and Calmac were only nailed-on starters in midfield.

     

    Mooy, DT, MOR and Iwata were all used at different times with MoR probably the preferred option under Ange until his form took a dip.

     

     

    Jota is clearly going to be a massive miss, the lad was a class above any other wide player we’ve had for years.

     

    But Mooy? Nah. Good player but he has retired for a reason

  13. PeterLatchfordsBelly on

    I think we do need to get busy in the transfer market… shipping some of the dead wood out. Particularly high earners like Ajeti and McCarthy. We need to create space for talented bhoys like Vata and Summers to come through. I think both will feature this season. I think Lawal should go out on loan as he is a future first teamer. I expect one more high profile signing, in a creative role.

     

     

    My only concerns for the new season is that we lose one or more of our key players to an offer that can’t be refused and injuries. Delighted to see Abada commit for at least one more season. I see him doing serious damage this season.

  14. quadrophenian on

    Thought he’s retired cos his back is donald ducked, that’s what Mrs Mooy and the Sydney Morn Herald was saying.

     

     

    AMERINGUE? CSC

  15. QUADROPHENIAN on 25TH JULY 2023 12:40 PM

     

    BURNLEY78 on 25TH JULY 2023 12:29 PM –

     

     

    I indeed hope that we get to see greater influence from Iwata and Oh (who attitudinally seems right up for the cup).

     

     

    Interesting cultural difference amid our Asian contingent; 2 of the Korean kids (Oh and Kwon) seem pretty bullish about being here. Don’t see so much of that cockiness in the Japanese cohort. Then again, Kyogo and Reo do all their bullishness on the ball and on the park (not the Korean surname, the pitch I mean ;)

     

    ____

     

    An interesting contrast. I’ve been to Japan (amazing place) but not South Korea and think there may be more of a US influence there. Maybe that’s where the bullish nature of our SK boys cones from. Then again I don’t think Ki was particularly like that, maybe Du-Ri? Jota is a big loss, guaranteed starter and big game player. I’m optimistic that this new cohort will turn out to be great signings. I still think we’ll bring in a couple of more experienced players. Anyone know how the sale of tickets is going for next Tuesday’s game?

  16. quadrophenian on

    ZIGGYDOC1 on 25TH JULY 2023 1:05 PM

     

     

    The US influence could well be a differentiating factor from the – normally – very reserved/respectful Japanese culture (I spent a fair bit of time in Tokyo anaw). The one Japanese player who had a heap of swagger was Keisuke Honda, who also played in Oz as a career swansong.

     

     

    I wonder who Brendan’s ‘marquee’ pick might be

  17. Lots to do indeed Paul67…

     

     

    We need first team quality for LB, CM, LW & GK.

     

     

    We need to solve the midfield conundrum for Europe. A Reider in there would be a help.

     

     

    We need a Jota level replacement. Maybe it’s Tete.

     

     

    From the dirty dozen, we’ve secured the exit of Barkas, Montgomery, Hazard & Shaw but need non-contributors Ajeti, Scales, McCarthy, Soro, Siegrist, Uroghide & Bain out the door.

     

     

    We need to be honest with Welsh (now Maik is here) & Turnbull (now Holm & Kwon & an other are here) & Forrest (now Abada is staying and Yang & Tilio) regarding their chances. Let them go. I’d probably add Kobyashi (don’t see Scotland as his kind of game) & Bernie (not a defensive bone in his body) to the mix if we sign LB and promote Lawal to the first team squad.

     

     

    New loanee homes for Vata, Lawal, Summers, McPherson in the SPFL or overseas. Not the 5th tier again.

     

     

    Need more power and pace.

     

     

    Lots to do indeed.

     

     

    HH

  18. bournesouprecipe on

    Roundabout now somebody will post about ‘the hold up in signing the big Polish guy ‘

  19. Scrub another off my deadwood list…

     

     

    Uroghide signed for Ligue 2 Amiens…

     

     

    Next !!!!!

     

     

    HH

  20. 🎟🚨 SOLD-OUT: Match tickets for our #cinchPrem home fixture v Ross County (Saturday, August 5) are sold-out!

  21. bournesouprecipe on

    Doubt we’d get interest in Carl Starfelt who has made a great pairing with CCV . He should have a not for sale sign on him anyway.

     

     

    Three top CB’s in CCV Starfelt and Nawrocki is where we should be.

  22. vinniethedog on

    Am I the only one completely underwhelmed by Iwata ???…..I just don’t see it …..remember when we signed Jota it was a loan deal and CCV…no problems really if they weren’t up to it …we’ve spent 11 million once Maik signs…now that’s a lot of dosh, but I don’t see the clamour to see them for Forests testimonial for instance….now Tete and Reider on the other hand would probably add 10k to the gate !!….to me they are punts, they certainly might work ..on the other hand..

  23. BSR,

     

     

    There is apprently a lot of interest in Starfelt. A club meets our valuation and he’s offski.

     

     

    Every player we have, is for sale at the right price.

     

     

    Them’s the rules.

     

     

    HH

  24. Vinniethedog,

     

     

    I like Iwata but would have liked to see more from him. He’s now played CDM, CH and RB and looks the utility man. Hoping he kicks on, a bit like Oh, but see him as a benchwarmer who can slot into a few places. MVP in Japan and so there must be something.

     

     

    I think the Rodgers first teamers will be in at the death. I do like the look of Yang and think he could be the RW breakthrough this season. His highlights aginst Spurs are worth a watch.

     

     

    Rodgers also likes a CH who can break lines, which big Maik can do and CS nor CCV can’t. I think he’ll be a starter for us.

     

     

    HH

  25. bournesouprecipe on

    Big Wavy

     

     

    What, lots of interest you say?

     

     

    Do they not know about the queue of Celtic supporters that would ‘drive him to the airport thursell? ‘

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5